Scottish Labour says its proposal to ban fracking was backed by almost 90 per cent of the public in a recent consultation.

The consultation, launched to gauge support for a Member's Bill, gathered 1,067 responses – 87 per cent of whom were reported to be in favour of a ban.

When asked if fracking poses “too many risks relating to pollution of the earth, water and air, and increased seismic activity”, 95 per cent of respondents agreed compared with four per cent who disagreed.

The Scottish Government launched its own public consultation on fracking in January, which runs until May 31.

The Scottish Parliament voted in favour of a Labour motion to ban fracking last June after SNP members abstained from voting.

Scottish Labour environment spokeswoman, Claudia Beamish, who is leading a Members Bill to ban fracking, said: “There is a loud and clear message from this consultation: the overwhelming majority do not want fracking in Scotland, and have raised profound concerns about the potential environmental impact if it is allowed.

Claudia Beamish held the consultation to gauge support for her Member's Bill to outlaw the controversial gas extraction technique

“The climate science is irrefutable. Scotland does not need a new fossil fuel as we shift towards a low-carbon economy.

“Most respondees argued that we should be focusing on the development of jobs in the renewables industries.

“Many are also concerned about the potential health implications of unconventional oil and gas extraction.”

She added: “This is about Scotland's future, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the condition we leave our planet in for our children and our grandchildren.

“The Scottish Parliament has already voted to ban fracking in Scotland, but the SNP has refused to listen and kicked the decision into the long grass.

“I will now press ahead with my Bill to ban fracking.

“The people of Scotland do not want it and our environment does not need it.”

The Scottish Government's public consultation on fracking will close at the end of May and MSPs will then be given a chance to vote before Scottish ministers come to a final decision, expected by the end of the year.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “No hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking', can take place in Scotland as a result of the moratorium on unconventional oil and gas extraction which the Scottish Government has already put in place.

“Ministers continue to maintain a cautious and evidence-led approach.

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“As part of that, a national consultation on unconventional oil and gas is currently under way.

“It would be wrong to deny the people of Scotland their chance to comment on this important issue, and no decision will be taken before the public have had an opportunity to take part in the consultation.

“The Scottish Government has made clear that Parliament will have the opportunity to vote on the issue and that the will of Parliament will be respected.”

Dr Sam Gardner, Head of Policy at WWF Scotland, said the results of the Labour-led consultation are a reminder of “overwhelming public support in favour of cleaner forms of energy and against fracking occurring in Scotland.”

He added: “The climate science is clear, the vast majority of known fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground.

“Scotland should put in place a clear legal block on unconventional fossil fuel extraction and instead play to its natural advantages in clean, green renewable energy.”